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September 27, 2010

testing out the kitchen...

As soon as there is even a hint of fall in the air, I get in the mood to bake. I love making breads, cakes, cookies, etc.

Now with the new house...and new kitchen...I have been even more in the mood for testing it out.

I decided to challenge myself last week and bake my first pie...a pecan pie.

I saw this delectable recipe on an episode of Katie Brown's Workshop. It intrigued me because it had cream cheese in it, which I had never heard of in a pecan pie before.

I went to the store and picked up all of the ingredients {but did cheat and get premade pie dough...I am not that brave yet!}...

Another recipe that I saw, recommended toasting the nuts before baking, so I decided to do that.

The Katie Brown recipe called for both pecans and walnuts, so while the oven was preheating, I popped the nuts in to toast for a bit.

After letting them cool, I chopped the pecans and then put together the first batch of ingredients for the bottom layer of the pie including the cream cheese...

Next, I mixed together the nuts, dark corn syrup and remaining ingredients in another bowl...

Now, I am not an expert baker by any stretch of the imagination.

And as it usually goes...I make some huge mistakes when I cook...

The first in this recipe...I did not have pie weights, and while I did generously pierce the crust with a fork for blink baking...it still puffed up quite a bit and shrunk a little.

I was nervous that the two layers would overflow the crust...

You first fill it with the cream cheese batch and then pour the nut batch over top. Thankfully they both fit without overflowing...

Then you are supposed to bake it at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes.

But...my next huge mistake...

The pie crust was supposed to prebake for 10-11 minutes at 450 degrees.

I forgot to lower the temp for the pie. Just popped it in the oven...

And then about 20 minutes later I could hear the nuts sizzling a bit, so I went to check and realized the error of my ways. It was very dark and the crust was browning.

I pulled it out immediately and lowered the temp to 300 waiting a bit...and then, since I wasn't sure if it was completely done, put it back in for about 10 minutes with foil covering the top...

I was a bit devastated at first thinking that I had completely ruined it and wasted all of these ingredients. I tried hard not to get too upset over it and just let it cool and see later if it tasted okay. It wasn't burnt so that was a good sign.

Turned out that it tasted delicious. The husband loved it as did my sister and her fiance when they came for a visit.

Just goes to prove that you can make huge mistakes sometimes, and things can still work out.

The perfect dessert with some French Vanilla tea on a crisp, autumn afternoon.

Here is the recipe {and link} from the Katie Brown site if you feel like spending some time baking a pie this season. I will definitely try this recipe again...but hopefully without the same mistakes ;)...

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Comments

That is one of my favorite kinds of pies, hands down. Your pie looks delicious and I couldn't agree more with mistakes turning out just fine. I love my crust dark anyway and the pecans toasted up sounds wonderful too.

That Renoir is so lucky, beautiful toys from Julie Marie, she sure is a sweet lady thru and thru!

Oh yum! Cream cheese with ANYTHING is delicious :) Im definitely gonna have to try that recipe. Oh and how fun to break-in the new kitchen and bake! I am sure that your whole home smelled of toasted nuts....divine!
Cant wait to see your architectural salvage post.....that is RIGHT up my alley :D

i love when the house smells wonderful from what's cooking in the kitchen! the pie looks delicious!! i may have to try that one. the little guy and i made homemade chocolate chip cookies this weekend, must be Fall! so happy you are enjoying your new home! susan

Great post Alice!
Your pie looks delicious, mistakes & all!
I must admit, I am one of those sorry folk who doesn't enjoy cooking....mainly because I fear the fact it may not work out & look just like what the picture shows. But you have given me a little hope that sometimes, mistakes can be good!
Have a great week!
S. x

I bet a lot of yummy creations came from "mistakes in the kitchen"...your looks yummy! I personally am not a pecan pie lover, but I think my Dad would be drooling over it;) And, as always, Renoir is just a lil' cutie...tell him Murphy says "bow-wow"!

Hello Alice... your pie looks sooo yummy! I love to bake but I have never made a pecan pie! I am so happy you are loving your new home, and how fun to bake for Autumn in your new kitchen... little Renoir looks so cute in those photos! I'm glad he liked his little "housewarming" gifts... I love you Renoir!... I can't wait to see your next post about the salvage place!... xoxo Julie Marie

Yum! I always thought I didn't like pecan pie until last year I finally tried it. It's delish. My mom always makes it though. I never have. I don't think she uses cream cheese though. I will have to ask her. I'm glad that your pie turned out even if you made a mistake. :)

mmm that does look good. I am the type that makes HUGE mistakes while cooking as well, so it feels good to know I'm not the only one! Glad you're enjoying your new kitchen... I am too! Love the new space to work in... it's actually inspiring me to cook more variety

OMG...my all time fav pie :-) is pecan pie. Have you ever had chocolate pecan pie??? To die for!! I will give this recipe a try once the weather cools down here in So. Calif....and I can turn on the oven. Good to know your oven works...did you have to purchase new appliances for the house? Would love to see more pics of your renovations to date. Hugs, CJ

You know we all ask about and love Renoir. He is just toooooo cute and just really does pose and let you take pictures of him. I know he's found a lot of new favorite spots to be in his new home. I remember when you had the pictures of him laying by the window looking out. Your baby is just toooo cute.

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